News
Feb 05, 2020
The Raleigh Convention Center and its catering partner, Centerplate, kicked off the new year on a compassionate note by launching a new community meal donation program to benefit local nonprofits in The Triangle region (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, N.C.) and surrounding areas. Dubbed Share Your Meal, the initiative allows event organizers to help people in need by ordering additional meals at their meetings or conferences that are then donated to the Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina and the agencies it supports.
Through this initiative, organizations hosting… more
Feb 04, 2020
For the first time, the PGA Merchandise Show—the largest gathering of PGA professionals—co-located with National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Business Conference and Racquet & Paddle Sports Show. All three shows wrapped up last week to great success at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“Being in the same place over the same week with PGA professionals and their leadership allows for organic and planned opportunities for collaboration,” said Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA. “The NGCOA is helping to promote to our audience the value that PGA Members bring to their facilities…… more
Feb 04, 2020
Emerald Expositions Events today launched a new brand identity, vision, corporate website and formal name change to Emerald Holding, Inc. According to Emerald officials, these changes reflect the company’s evolution and core commitment to building dynamic market platforms that integrate live events, community-relevant content and data-focused solutions into uniquely rich experiences.
“As our portfolio of events and services has advanced, we have now evolved the Emerald brand to better reflect who we are – a company fully immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the… more
Feb 03, 2020
Two leading event producers are expanding their reach in the consumer show marketplace with a popular show acquisition and a launch.
Marketplace Events Scoops Up Cincinnati Holiday Market
Cleveland-based Marketplace Events, known as the largest producer of B2C shows in the U.S. and Canada, has acquired the Cincinnati Holiday Market from Hart Productions of Cincinnati, Ohio. As the first of the new year for Marketplace Events, the acquisition marks the 13th since the company was purchased by Sentinel Capital Partners in early 2016.
Held annually at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the… more
Feb 03, 2020
Tarsus Group, a U.K.-based global exhibition company, has formed a joint venture with Las Vegas-based UNFILTERED EXPERIENCE and will partner on a series of shows in the United States focused on the fast-growing independent beauty market.
Unfiltered Experience, which began as an event last July in Las Vegas, is led by CEO Daniela Ciocan, who oversaw marketing for the Cosmoprof trade show for 12 years, as well as spent several years prior to that in the beauty industry.
““I am thrilled to partner with Tarsus Group to give us the ability to scale up faster and provide access to an… more
Jan 31, 2020
Coronavirus is all over the news: Airlines are reducing flights to China or grounding flights coming from Wuhan (where the virus originated); Asia trade shows are being postponed; and on Jan. 30, the World Health Organization officially declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency.
It’s nearly impossible for event professionals to avoid travel during this time, making it important to take extra precautions to stay well as world health experts work to contain the virus. Here’s what you need to know.
How Coronavirus Is Transmitted
For the most part, the virus was transmitted… more
Jan 31, 2020
After five years at the helm of Reed Exhibitions, Chet Burchett will be retiring from the global company, and Hugh Jones will be stepping in Feb. 1.
“I’m looking forward to bringing more increasingly sophisticated data-led analytics and technology to more customers around the world,” Jones said. “Exhibitions is an exciting, entrepreneurial industry, and the fundamentals of the business are excellent.”
He added, “Combining the best of face-to-face connections with technology and rich data analytics will provide new value to our more than 7 million exhibitors and visitors. This ensures that… more
Jan 30, 2020
More than 7,700 people have been sickened and 170 people have died from the coronavirus in mainland China, while at least 68 cases have been reported in other places around the world, according to the World Health Organization. As WHO meets today to decide whether to declare the coronavirus epidemic an international public health emergency, the outbreak is beginning to impact the Chinese trade show industry.
“With Chinese and international authorities very focused on containment, there is a growing consensus amongst the international organizers we are speaking to that this situation will… more
Jan 29, 2020
UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – has updated its database of initiatives and projects from the exhibition industry that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (which TSNN originally reported on here).
This resource, which was initiated by the UFI Working Group on Sustainability and put together in collaboration with Greenview, a member of this working group, showcases work done by organizers, venues and service providers. It was. The concept was also shared for use by the Joint Meetings Industry Council to expand the compilation to… more
Jan 28, 2020
In a first for the veterinary world, the North American Veterinary Community has launched VMX Virtual, an immersive and interactive 3D platform to transform the world’s largest veterinary conference and trade show into a year-round, on-demand marketplace for exhibitors and attendees.
Intended to be a complement to and extension of its annual trade show and conference, Veterinary Meeting & Expo, the virtual VMX was launched in December 2019, one month prior to the live event. Held Jan. 18-22 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2020 edition of VMX attracted… more
Partner Voices

MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.